GIDEON TUMWIJUKYE
Rukiga District Vice Chairperson Samuel Niwandinda has announced his intention to challenge his boss, Chairperson Mbabazi Robert Kakwerere, accusing him of incompetence. The declaration was made during a press conference held on Monday at White Horse Inn Hotel in Kabale Municipality.
Niwandinda, who also serves as the Secretary for Finance, Planning, and Administration and is the Councilor representing Rwamucucu Sub-County, criticized Kakwerere for failing to provide public accountability to the electorate, which he said has hampered district operations. He further alleged that Kakwerere has consistently ignored advice and failed to act on recommendations from the executive.
The vice chairperson also accused Kakwerere of neglecting his oversight role in implementing key government programs such as Emyooga, Youth Livelihood, and the Women Empowerment Project. Additionally, Niwandinda claimed that critical district commissions, including the Service Commission, Land Board, and Public Accounts Committee, lack independence, thus hindering effective service delivery.
Hailing from Kabirizi Village, Kitojo Parish, Rwamucucu Sub-County, Niwandinda declared his intention to contest against Kakwerere in the upcoming National Resistance Movement (NRM) primaries, vowing to address the shortcomings he attributes to the current leadership.
In response, Rukiga District Chairperson Mbabazi Robert Kakwerere, when contacted by our reporter, stated that Niwandinda is within his constitutional rights to vie for the chairperson position. However, Kakwerere dismissed the accusations of poor accountability, pointing out that Niwandinda, as a member of the district executive, had adequate opportunities to raise these concerns in the appropriate forums rather than through the media.
Kakwerere also emphasized that the alleged issues have been adequately addressed in district council sessions, suggesting that Niwandinda’s declaration is a mere distraction.
